Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. This method captures biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand, providing a long-term history of substance use. When sourced close to the scalp, hair offers a detection duration of up to three months for alcohol and other substances. Collecting hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and easy for transportation.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches, consisting of around 200 strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) near the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is optimal for testing and verification purposes. For tests involving EtG, add-ons, and/or panels exceeding ten, 150mg is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. In the absence of scalp hair, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be used. References to head hair pertain to scalp hair, while body hair includes all other types such as facial and axillary hair.
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result encompasses four main stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning includes the preliminary processing of a sample into a lab's system. This step involves checking that the sample was correctly sealed and sent, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any data entry not included in an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening provides a quick efficiency check for drug abuse indicators. While Screening offers a cost-effective means to exclude drug usage in most samples, a confirmed positive outcome is necessary for legal validity. Samples deemed presumptively positive in Screening need secondary verification.
Should a sample test positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is taken from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. Drugs are extracted from hair at a concentration lower than in alternative methods (such as urine or oral fluid), accounting for hair drug testing's complex nature.
Positive screening results undergo Confirmation using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All samples that test presumptively positive are cleansed prior to confirmation if necessary. The laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Woodlawn Heights, IN
Hair testing stands superior to traditional urine tests in several ways.
Extended Detection Window in Woodlawn Heights, IN
Hair follicle tests provide a comprehensive view of substance use.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Woodlawn Heights, IN
Hair testing minimizes the chance of sample adulteration.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Woodlawn Heights, IN
Our testing centers are conveniently situated nationwide.
Simple, Confidential Process in Woodlawn Heights, IN
Ordering, conducting, and receiving hair test results are streamlined for ease.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Woodlawn Heights, IN
Our competitive pricing empowers companies of all sizes.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Woodlawn Heights, IN
Hair follicle drug tests are unrivaled in speed and precision.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Woodlawn Heights, IN
Implementing hair follicle testing helps enforce a drug-free workplace policy.